BA in Biology, Society, & Environment
Interested in declaring a Biology, Society, & Environment (BSE) major?
Check out BSE advising for details on how to prepare for a declaration meeting with the BSE advisor.
Are you a transfer student?
Find information for transfer students.
The Department of Geography, Environment & Society offers a BA in Biology, Society & Environment (BSE). As a BSE student, you will go a step beyond the typical biology major's education. In addition to comprehensive training in biology, you will examine the relevance of the biological sciences to social, environmental, or health-related problems. Students take basic and advanced coursework in the biological sciences, supported by physical science and mathematics, and they also take advanced courses in philosophy, sociology, geography, history, and more. You are encouraged to customize your major with an area of specialization or thematic focus. For example, specialize in human biology, plant biology and ecology, history of the biological or medical sciences, or combine your specialization with a thematic focus like ethics in health care, health policy, global environmental solutions, science and social change, and science and culture. Many of our students have also completed complementary major/minor programs. This rigorous yet flexible major prepares students for many careers, as well as for health-professional programs (DDS, MD, PA, Pharm-D, OD, etc.) and graduate study in many areas, including law, public health, and demography, or masters and PhD programs in the biological sciences and social sciences.
Interest Areas
Choose a scientific and thematic focus, or iteratively create your own pathway through the major as your interests evolve. We encourage you to consult with faculty, BSE advisors, and your CLA advisor when choosing elective courses to ensure that you develop the disciplinary and topical expertise necessary for your future plans.
People approach the BSE major with a number of goals in mind and there are many ways to move through the major. We are currently generating material for the website to help students think through how they should approach the major. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]. We will be able to help prospective students, transfer students, and current students with putting together the major in a way that makes sense.
Transfer Guide
If you are exploring or planning to transfer to CLA, learning more about your intended major is important.
Click on the ” Full Requirements” button above to see all of the major requirements, and any limits or restrictions on certain kinds of courses or credits. Every major has a requirement of a minimum number of upper level credits or courses that must be taken through their department. Some departments also have limits to the number of 1xxx or 2xxx level courses that can count towards major requirements.
Courses to Prepare for the Major
Students in the Biology, Society & Environment (BSE) major tend to do best when they limit themselves to two science and math courses per semester. To be on track to graduate with a major in BSE in four years, students need to start taking two of these courses per semester starting their sophomore year. This means that if you plan to start at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMTC) in your junior year, you should try to have four of the math and science courses completed when you transfer. It is necessary to begin taking chemistry, math, and then general biology as soon as you decide you are interested in the BSE major. These subjects include sequences and prerequisites, which means it can take multiple semesters to complete the levels needed for BSE major requirements.
The foundational courses recommended before transferring are:
- CHEM 1061 and CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I, lecture and lab
- MATH 1271 - Calculus I or Math 1142 Short Calculus
- BIOL 1009 - General Biology
- PHYS 1101W or PHYS 1221
You may need to take courses to prepare for Chemical Principles I or Calculus, such as:
- Introductory chemistry
- College algebra and/or pre-calculus
Depending on your progress, chemistry and math placement tests are recommended before taking courses in CLA.
It is often useful to complete more than one course in a science or math sequence at the same college or university since teaching styles may be more similar. You may want to consider finishing your general chemistry sequence at the college from which you are transferring. (Note: If you are planning on medical or dental school, you will need a second semester of physics. This does not count for the major, but if you began physics at your current school, you may want to take Physics II there as well.)
There are a few upper division social science courses that transfer as part of the BSE curriculum. We do recommend that students consider taking one of the Disciplinary Perspective Courses for the major. These will give you an orientation to social science thinking that will be necessary for your advanced social science courses. Consider an equivalent to one of the following:
- GEOG 1301W - Our Globalizing World
- PHIL 1003W - Introduction to Ethics
- ANTH 1003W - Understanding Cultures
- PHIL 1002W - Introduction to Philosophy
- PHIL 1006W - Philosophy and Cultural Diversity
- SOC 1001 - Introduction to Sociology
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
Transferring Courses and Credits
Use Transferology to help you plan your courses for the major. Remember, when using Transferology, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for courses you would like to use towards the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated, you can submit an evaluation request to find out if your course is equivalent to a specific UMTC course. A copy of the course syllabus is required for the evaluation.
Declaring the Major
Transfer students must apply and be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts in order to declare a major. Check out the information on the Biology, Society, & Environment declaration process on the Advising page.
BA Second Language Requirement
The BA degree does have a second language requirement. Consider completing or starting your second language before you transfer to CLA. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor about any questions.
Who Can Help as You Plan Your Transfer
- CLA Transfer Advising - CLA Transfer Advisors are ready to assist you as you plan your transfer to CLA. The Transfer to CLA website provides additional information to help you in your transfer exploration and planning.
- Biology, Society, & Environment Department Advising - The departmental advisor can answer questions that are specific to the major.
- Office of Admissions - Requirements for admission to CLA are not the same as the requirements to declare a major. Read through the CLA Transfer Admissions requirements to learn more, and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.
If you are a current UMTC student or a UM-Rochester student, you will use the
Change of College application process.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and BSE majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include research and quantitative skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively, laboratory experience, and problem-solving skills.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "ISR" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- HECUA internship program
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
- Public Service Careers (Check out “Why Public Service?”)
- Biology Jobs
- USA Jobs
- Careers in Biochemistry and Microbiology (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology)
- ZipRecruiter
Professional Organizations
- American Society for Microbiology
- National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Biological Sciences
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Certified Pharmacy Technician, Walgreens
- Adolescent Injury Prevention Intern, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
- Clinical Research Associate, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation
- Intern, Renstrom Dental Studio
- Certified Pharmacy Technician, Various
- Pharmacy Intern, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
- Pharmacy Intern, CVS Pharmacy
- Microbiology Technician, Land O'Lakes, Inc.
- Intern, Hospital Alternativo Andino de Chimborazo
- Genetics Lab Assistant, University of Minnesota
- Clinical Research Associate, Hennepin County Medical Center
- Primate Zookeeper Intern, Como Zoo & Conservatory
- Research Assistant, Essentia Health
- Medical Scribe, Elite Medical Scribes
- Research Assistant, Masonic Cancer Center
- Clinical Research Associate, HCMC
- Medical Intern, Edina Pediatrics
- Certified Nursing Assistant, Fairview
- Dental Sterilization Assistant, Distinctive Dentistry
- Student Exercise Intern, Avera Sports Institute
- Research Associate, Minnesota Medical Research Foundation
- Research Associate, Hennepin County Medical Center
- Personal Care Assistant, LDR Homecare
- Undergraduate Research Assistant, Firpo Lab
- Research Volunteer, Hennepin County Medical Center
- Stem Cell Intern, Bio-Techne
- Marine Mammal Intern, Minnesota Zoo
- Water Quality Monitoring Intern, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
Entry-Level
- Clinical Research Coordinator, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
- Scheduling Coordinator, Community Dental Care
- Pharmacy Technician, Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota
- Quality Control Analyst, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Mayo Clinic
- Nursing Assistant, Sholom Home East
- Medical Scribe, Elite Medical Scribes
- Medical Assistant, Family Tree Clinic
- Histology Technician, UW Health
- Scientific Sales and Sustainability Intern, Kimberly-Clark
- Research Technician, Calyx
- Health Services Coordinator, Scott, Carver, Dakota CAP Agency
- Forensic Laboratory Technologist, MedTox Laboratories
- Certified Nursing Assistant, Fairview
- Nursing Station Technician, University of Minnesota Medical Center
- Medical Scribe, Noran Neurological Clinic
- Clinical Lab Associate, Park Nicollet Health Services
- Patient Service Representative, Aurora Advanced Healthcare
- Wind Power Developer, PRC Wind
- Assistant Clinic Manager, University of Minnesota Epidemiology Clinical Research Center
Experienced
- Quality Improvement Specialist, Park Nicollet Health Services
- Clinical Program Consultant, United Health Group
- Key Account Manager, Bio-Techne
- Independent Contractor, Extherid Biosciences
- Surgery Scheduler, Aurora Health Care
- Environmental Scientist, WSB & Associates
Graduate Programs
- PharmD, University of Minnesota
- Master of Nursing, Rush University
- PharmD, University of Minnesota
- MPH, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- DDS, University of Minnesota
- MPH, University of Minnesota
- MPH, Health Policy & Administration
- MPH, Columbia School of Public Health
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Master of Science, Healthcare Informatics at University of San Diego
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Program Counselor, ACR Homes
- Direct Care Professional, ACR Homes
- Volunteer Coordination Intern, Minnesota AIDS Project
- Personal Care Assistant, Student Experience
- Development Intern, Minnesota AIDS Project
- Access Assistant, Disability Resource Center
- Garden and Healthy Food Intern, CAPI USA
- Grassroots Organizing Intern, Sierra Club
- Plant Community Ecology Intern, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
- Research Intern, Cornercopia Student Organic Farm
- Education/Conservation Intern, Student Conservation Association
- Personal Care Assistant, Orion
- Peer Health Coordinator, Boynton Health Services
- Intern, Center for Homicide Research
- Disaster Services Intern, American Red Cross
- Intern, FamilyWise Services
- Intern, Minnesota Zoo
- Intern, Everyday Miracles
- Public Policy & Communications Intern, Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance
Entry-Level
- Caregiver, Rakhma, Inc.
- Volunteer Coordinator, Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Maternal & Child Health Volunteer, Peace Corps
- Admissions Coordinator, HCR ManorCare
- Junior Scientist, University of Minnesota
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Research Assistant, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
- Environmental Health Intern, City of Bloomington
- Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, New Taipei City Public Health Department
- Project Intern, Clean Energy Resource Teams
- Intern, Carver County
- Communications Intern, United Nations
Entry-Level
- Environmental Health Intern, Hennepin County Public Health Department
- Public Health Associate, CDC
Experienced
- Conservation Program Coordinator, Urban Roots MN
- Graduate Programs
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Juris Doctor, Health Law
- JD, Health Care Compliance & Health Care Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law